People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

However, on the other hand, he hadn't expected that both Duke Windermere and his own Duke would attend the meeting in person.

Leaving aside her own Duke, as a woman who modestly claimed to possess "only three-eighths of Victoria," her arrogance was undeniable. Normally, if she didn't want to attend a banquet, even a party hosted by the Duke of Godotin at the estate, she would decline. However, if she wanted to attend a banquet, even in Lentinium after the Duke's decree, she would dare to go.

But was the Duke of Castells really worth attending the small World's Fair in person?

Does she value Ernst to this extent?

It's truly baffling. If the Duke of Caesar really values ​​Ernst so much, why hasn't he "taken action" yet?

The Duke of Windermere was indeed a hindrance, preventing the Duke of Castle from directly using force against Sherrag and Ernst. But if force didn't work, wouldn't a gentler approach do? The Duchy of Castle wasn't short of money, and the Castle family had no shortage of beautiful women of marriageable age. Could Ernst refuse to send one over?

What? Windermere can send his own daughter, but I, Caesar, can't?

Wait a minute... The Duke's only influence in Kjerag right now is me, the one in the grey top hat. Could it be...?

hiss--

That makes sense, I’ve heard of it before. Some people who have experienced trauma in childhood develop unusual preferences. For example, those who have lost their mothers crave maternal love more, and those who have lost their fathers crave paternal love more. Those raised by their grandparents tend to be more attracted to more mature people, while orphans who have to grow up on their own tend to be drawn to those who are “more independent, stronger, and have more stories to tell.”

Due to objective factors in Terra, most of these people are older men. Examples include Marna Byand Nearl, "Bridge Cliff," and "Witch King" Helhunzoren!

These old guys are really handsome!

The man in the grey top hat, who prides himself on having a story, is unmarried (though he has a fiancée), a highly intelligent and independent modern man. Could it be that His Highness the Duke...

No, no, no, that's unlikely. After all, the proportion of women in Ernst's government was quite high, which doesn't seem like the kind of thing they like.

However, such a high percentage could also be an attempt to cover something up...

The man in the grey top hat slapped himself, abruptly interrupting his rambling thoughts.

In any case, Ernst's current situation is definitely not normal, and it's not difficult to verify this. Just find a time to spread a rumor that Ernst is so old and still not married, which must be because he suffered a heartbreak in his early years.

Grey Hat was a natural at this kind of thing, it was a piece of cake for him!

Bringing his thoughts back to the present, the person in the grey-hatted man's box was the Duke of Godotin's envoy. The Duke of Godotin was notoriously opportunistic; now that his own Duke of Caesar was powerful, his decisions and policies basically followed in Caesar's footsteps. Since the Duke of Caesar had participated in this World's Fair, it wasn't surprising that the Duke of Godotin had sent someone as well. The only puzzling question was why the Duke of Godotin himself hadn't come.

Perhaps his own Duke knew in advance that the Duke of Windermere would also be attending the fair, so he was afraid that something might happen and he would lose face, so he didn't ask the Duke to "bear witness" for him.

Feeling vaguely that he had glimpsed the truth, the man in the grey top hat rationally refrained from thinking about it any further.

However, the only one who seems rather suspicious is Miss Abrahana in Box 5.

Although it is unclear whether Ernst gave any special instructions when arranging the boxes, the fact that several Dukes of Victoria were seated in a row, facing each other, made the Grey Hat somewhat suspicious.

According to seating arrangement, Abrahim's seat should be occupied by the Duke of Wellington...

"But the Duke of Wellington is still on his grand tour and has not left Gastrill at all, nor has he heard any news of attending the World's Fair."

After a moment of contemplation, the man in the grey top hat decisively added the woman who had helped him escape the aftermath of the "Battle of the Dukes" to his list of people to watch closely.

Work is work, and life is life. He only adds embellishments to his work, but he never slacks off, otherwise he wouldn't have made it this far.

"Phew, that's about it. Work is done, time to rest."

With a long sigh of relief, the man in the gray top hat closed his eyes, intending to take a short rest, just as the train's rest stop ended.

As the electronic announcement came from inside the carriage, the gray-hatted man's relaxed mood lifted again.

He suddenly opened his eyes, the whites of his blue eyes were bloodshot.

At that moment, he suddenly realized a very serious problem.

There's more than one snow-covered shuttle bus a day from Shelag!

And the World's Fair lasted for more than one day!

During the World Expo, the Snowfield Express Line will operate at a frequency of one train per hour, from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, for a total of 15 trains! Each train will have 6 private cabins! The Expo will last for a full month, 30 days!

15 times 6 times 30!

2700!

He's going to open the doors to 2700 private rooms! And experience 2700 blind boxes!

Even if not every time he opens the door, all sorts of monsters and big shots gather, there are still 2700 times! With that number as a starting point, who knows if he won't encounter every kind of demon and monster he might come across?!

Will he then earn a new title, not "The Harpist on the Train," but rather "He Likes to Open Doors?"

The man in the grey top hat felt an immense mental pressure wash over him; it was as if his sanity had undergone a check—

Then, he seemed to see Jeragand before his eyes.

It was a kind-faced, adorned with a jeweled crown and magnificent robes, exuding an air of nobility and solemnity. One glance was enough to inspire reverence in anyone who looked at him!

The man in the grey top hat immediately offered a heartfelt prayer:

"By Jeragand, may I be able to return alive to see my fiancée!"

"Gangmen!"

Chapter 266 Duke Windermere: Isn't this progress?

Shelag, Tukarim, government office building.

Ernst looked with some surprise at the Duke of Caesar, whose face was bruised and swollen, and whose clothes were somewhat disheveled, as well as the two guards beside her who looked somewhat familiar, but whose battle damage made them difficult to identify. Several times he opened his mouth to speak, but then remained silent, unsure of what to say. Finally, unable to contain his curiosity, he sincerely asked:

"Uh, although it may be a bit presumptuous, Your Excellency Duke of Caster, what is this...?"

"It fell."

Although there were still traces of blood and pale blue hair around his mouth, and his eyes were somewhat bruised and swollen, the Duke of Caesar stubbornly maintained his composure and answered calmly.

Ernst's smile twitched slightly. It was a pity he wasn't wearing a mask, otherwise he would have also experienced the thrill of "laughing if you want to."

You really have the nerve to say that? You fell? You must have fallen all the way down from the summit of the Matterhorn to end up like that, right?

Oh no, falling off the Matterhorn shouldn't have that effect. To achieve the effect of falling so hard you're completely disoriented but still only suffer minor cuts and bruises, and being dazed but not mentally damaged, you'd have to fall off the Karan mountain!

Only when you're throwing yourself to your death while Jeragand tries to save you from it, can you achieve this perfect balance—a balance that reveals a certain harmony amidst the contradiction!

Perhaps noticing the barely suppressed smile on Ernst's lips, the Duke of Kester's face darkened, and he let out a cold snort, his tone tinged with displeasure:

"Does Prime Minister Ernst think the mountain roads in Kjerag are easy to travel?"

The mountain road in Shelag is certainly difficult to travel. Why don't you pay for it to be repaired for our fellow villagers?

Ernst muttered something to himself, but still shook his head with a smile:

"I apologize, Your Grace. It was my oversight that caused this unexpected trouble on your journey. I will pay more attention to the infrastructure development of Shelag in the future. Thank you for your correction."

Even though it feels like it has nothing to do with me, I still have to put on a proper show, right?

Since guests are guests, Ernst, as the host, was hoping that the Grand Dukes of Victoria would throw out more gold coins. Since it didn't cost him any money, he naturally said as many nice things as he could.

The Duke of Caesar nodded in satisfaction, and was about to say something more when, as if he had seen something terrifying, his eyes narrowed, he quickly took a step back, and then hurriedly took his leave:

"Then I'll go and rest now, Prime Minister Ernst."

Before running away, she turned back and said something meaningful:

"Ernst, I'm really looking forward to your performance at this World's Fair. Don't make me regret my decision to personally attend."

I am indeed pleased that you came in person, but why should I do something that will definitely not disappoint you? It's simply a matter of you giving me face, and me giving you face in return.

Although it was another standard Castiglione-style pressure and manipulation tactic, this time Ernst didn't argue with the Duke of Castiglione; instead, he smiled and nodded.

"Of course, Your Grace, I have prepared many surprises for you."

His preparations this time were thorough. From his conceptual initiatives and research findings to his future plans, institutional framework, and even his "Speech Towards the Future," delivered concurrently with Colombian Vice President Wilson, each piece alone was enough to spark heated discussion. Ernst brought them all together at this World's Fair, ensuring a comprehensive overview in every aspect. His goal was simple: to create a major spectacle for the entire continent of Terra!

He believed that even the Duke of Caesar had no reason to be dissatisfied.

Of course, if she's really unhappy, then let her be unhappy. Ernst isn't some grey top hat who's going to indulge her.

With so many countries gathered at this grand event, would Curst dare to actually do anything? Aren't they afraid of "surprised by their allies"?

Watching the Duke of Kester's retreating figure as he hurriedly fled, Ernst's gaze immediately turned to the direction in which the Duke of Kester had been looking.

Then he understood why the Duke of Caesar had left so quickly.

"Your Excellency Duke Windermere, it's been a long time."

Ernst smiled, a smile that seemed more genuine than the one he gave the Duke of Caesar.

Duke Windermere's personal visit didn't surprise him much. Although Amphilis's daily affairs were theoretically no less than Duke Castle's, she had the advantage of having helpers. Mr. Kent was Amphilis Windermere's right-hand man, compensating for her lack of political skills and allowing her to focus more on military matters.

With no immediate wars at the Duke's side and the border with Letania relatively peaceful, Anferis's work is naturally much easier. Ernst sent an invitation through Daphne, and it was expected that the Grand Duke, whose sole purpose in the command headquarters was investigating spies, would personally come.

Everyone loves a good show!

However, to Ernst's surprise, Duke Windermere, who was leading Defene, did not respond amicably upon hearing Ernst's greeting. Instead, he put on a stern face, looking as if he were about to be reprimanded.

"Ernst, that's too formal!"

"what?"

Before Ernst could understand what was happening, Duke Amphilis Windermere stepped forward, took Ernst's hand, and shook hands with Defiance, a satisfied smile immediately spreading across her face.

“That’s more like it. Ernst, I often hear Daphne mention you in her letters, saying that you are very successful in Lateran, and that even the Pope praises you highly. I also hear that you are a good ruler in Sherag, and that the three great families and the Manjusaka do House respect you. But I have never heard of you giving Daphne any advice.”

"I couldn't figure it out no matter what I thought about, so I decided to make a special trip here today. But I didn't know until I came here that Ernst, you still treat Daphne and me, Amphilis Windermere, as outsiders?"

Ernst opened his mouth, his mind momentarily in a state of confusion.

It wasn't that he was drunk and out of his mind, it's just that Duke Windermere's words were really unconventional!

Look at your predecessor, the Duke of Custer. How polite he was, how he knew how to maintain respectful social distance, how he understood that "personal relationships shouldn't be discussed in politics." And then you... you just uttered one sentence and left me completely dumbfounded!

But perhaps, this is the Duke of Windermere?

Just like the Pope of Laterano was a very outgoing person, the Duke of Windermere's greatest characteristic was his straightforwardness, frankness, and even a bit of naiveté.

If you need to shoot straight, shoot straight. Detours are useless. If you can shoot directly, you won't use any fancy moves.

Other dukes' power struggles involve smiling on the outside but cursing in private, with smiles hiding daggers and veiled malice. They employ all sorts of schemes, including poisoning and assassination, striving to resolve issues through "secret politics" rather than making them public.

The Duke of Windermere, however, is different. If you offend me, I'll write you a letter cursing you! If you dare touch my people, I'll expose all the traitors and then come after you! Even if you manage to hide for a while, once I catch you, you'll still get a beating. Even if I can't kill you, I'll make sure you suffer social humiliation! If something can be resolved openly with my fists, I won't let it drag on underground; I'll slap you hard in the face!

Even when dealing with the infected, other dukes would say, "You are also citizens of Victoria," and then send them to their deaths in the army. But the Duke of Windermere was different. She simply threw the infected off the ship, gave them their freedom, and let them fend for themselves. She neither used them nor accepted them.

He is truly the most anthropomorphic of all the grand dukes in Victoria, and is unique in all of Terra.

After a moment of stunned silence, Ernst looked into the Duke of Windermere's eyes and began to understand some of what the Duke meant.

She saw his conversation with the Duke of Caesar earlier, so she wanted him to make a statement so she could further retaliate against the Duke of Caesar.

After all, if Ernst wasn't mistaken, the Duke of Kester's injuries might, perhaps, or probably be related to the Duke of Windermere.

I heard there was a fight on the train... Ernst thought it was because his fellow countryman had picked up something belonging to a tourist and been caught, but considering the World's Fair was about to open, he decided to hold off on posting it for the time being.

Now it seems...

You two didn't fight this, did you?

Ernst felt he had found the truth and understood everything.

Otherwise, what else could it be? Given Duke Windermere's personality, could she possibly have some other scheme in mind?

With a wry smile, Ernst nodded and then changed his tune:

“Ms. Windermere and Daphne, welcome to both of you.”

Miss?

Although still somewhat dissatisfied with the title, the Duke of Windermere nodded approvingly, and then, as if encouraging a promising junior, patted Ernst on the shoulder while nodding.

Before leaving, she asked one more question: "Where does the Duke of Caster live?"

"this........"

"Ok?"

"For fire safety reasons, we have arranged accommodations for all of you in the newly built Kjerag Hotel on the third floor. We have also arranged accommodations for the representatives of the four dukes according to their train compartments, namely 301, 302, 303, and 304. Ms. Windermere, you will be staying in 303."

303...

Duke Windermere nodded knowingly and left with Defiance, satisfied.

Once they were far from Ernst, Duke Windermere slowed his pace, looked at his daughter earnestly, and admonished her:

"See that, Daphne? Doesn't this show progress?"

“Mom!” Defion called out, her cheeks flushed.

"I know exactly what you're thinking."